Evidence of meeting #14 for Official Languages in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was francophone.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
9:40 a.m.
directeur général, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones
We haven't conducted an exhaustive study on the matter.
9:40 a.m.
directeur général, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones
We should look at that more closely.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Allow me to make a suggestion. You talk about inviting us; I'd accept an invitation. And perhaps you should consider inviting the Commissioner of Official Languages as well. If there is one authority in the federal government who has the ability and power to investigate, it is he. Whether he has that power with regard to the money of the provinces and territories, that remains to be seen.
9:40 a.m.
directeur général, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones
We intend to invite the Commissioner of Official Languages. We're very close to him. A photograph of the representative of the federation's management appears on the first page of the last report of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If I understand correctly, you are open to the idea of including an obligation to consult and an obligation of a certain degree of transparency in future agreements with the provinces.
9:40 a.m.
directeur général, Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones
We would very much like to have that discussion, yes.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
My next question is for the lawyers.
You said your province had 4,400 lawyers, but what does that represent? How many bilingual lawyers are there in Alberta, for example?
9:40 a.m.
President, Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law inc.
Perhaps I'll ask Mr. Rémillard to answer that question, as he is much more familiar with that field.
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law inc.
First, the difficulty—
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Fédération des associations de juristes d'expression française de common law inc.
That varies by province, the definition of what is bilingual and capacity, in particular. It would be very difficult to determine in some provinces, much easier in others.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
If the Government of Canada decided to require Supreme Court justices to be bilingual, would there be enough lawyers across the country—and not just in Quebec—to meet that prerequisite? We hear arguments to the contrary. I was told that half the lawyers in Alberta were bilingual.
Now I'm going to talk about the importance of Radio-Canada.
Members from western Canada are currently tabling petitions in the House to request an end to funding for CBC/Radio-Canada as a whole. What is your opinion on that subject?
9:40 a.m.
Vice-President, Association franco-yukonnaise
Once a week, Radio-Canada provides an on-air forum for amateur francophone hosts. In the north, Radio-Canada gives us access to our culture. I think it's important. A number of people are concerned about the future of Radio-Canada because that cultural service is very much appreciated.
9:40 a.m.
Co-Executive Director, Association franco-yukonnaise
Without Radio-Canada, there would be no French radio or television in Yukon.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
I'd like to know what you do in a summer law camp, but perhaps I could find out at another time.
Thank you.
November 22nd, 2011 / 9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I'd like to welcome our guests and to ask them to join us so that we can have unanimous consent in wishing our chair a happy 40th birthday.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
He told me he wasn't feeling well this morning, and now I understand why: it's because he's 40 years old.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
The Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality is a very important instrument for the survival of the French language in minority communities, and, I hope as well, for promotion. I have worked to ensure that it has solid funding. As you all know, the more than $1 billion in funding is 40% more than the funding provided for the previous plan.
The school yard is a vitally important place for the French language. It is even more important than the classroom. The teacher controls proceedings in the classroom. That's not the case in the school yard. That's where the fight is most important. Even in homogenous French-language schools, we often hear English being spoken in the school yard, which frustrates the teachers. They naturally see that assimilation has an impact on their own future employment. It's more than they can bear; they use coercive methods to correct the situation. Shouting "Speak French" is a little like scraping your fingernails on the blackboard.
Have you considered any incentive strategies? Are you using any to encourage young people to attach greater value to their language? I think we have to focus on incentives and help young people understand that they've been left a beautiful legacy. Otherwise, no coercive measures will work.
What do you say, Mr. Paul?
